Phil Parkinson today told fans why City have been careful with their handling of David Syers.

Supporters have questioned the decision not to start the all-action midfielder every game at a time when the Bantams are desperate for goals and points.

But Parkinson revealed that Syers is still getting up to speed from an injury-riddled season. Minor niggles have added to a recent back complaint.

The City boss said: “Dave’s a good player and I really like him but his body has got to be ready to go.

“He’s had a lot of niggles and is only just really getting it right with his back problem, having injections to settle it down.

“We threw him straight back in after Christmas but he got sent off against Shrewsbury. He still played against Rotherham and then missed three games.

“We had a period of postponements which didn’t help and then his back went leading up to the next game, so he ended up in hospital missing more time.

“We started him against Wimbledon but always felt another game so quickly afterwards wouldn’t be right for him.

“He still came on at Aldershot but had a tightness in his hamstring after that cameo appearance.

“Dave will get his chance. We need more goals and he can provide that threat but I think it’s important that supporters know the overall picture.”

Craig Fagan (sickness) and Ritchie Jones (flu) did not train again yesterday and are unlikely to feature against Gillingham. Marcel Seip will have a scan on Monday on an old shoulder injury after he fell on it at Aldershot.

Parkinson insists the squad remain confident of pulling away from trouble despite the triple away whammy.

“The last week hasn’t been a good one but let’s see what we can do going forward. Three of the next four games are at home.

“Footballers don’t like losing and managers hate it but the lads have taken a lot of heart from the way we played at Crewe. We were really in the ascendancy in the second half.

“We’re in a nine-game season now with probably eight other clubs. We’ve got a four-point lead on three of them and a game in hand on five.”